HK1099000A1

HK1099000A1 - Water filter device

Info

Publication number: HK1099000A1
Application number: HK07105299.0A
Authority: HK
Inventors: J．D．坦纳; D.J.埃蒙斯; R．P．里德尔
Original assignee: Pur Water Purification Products, Inc.
Priority date: 2003-08-19
Filing date: 2004-08-19
Publication date: 2007-08-03
Also published as: CA2536252A1; IL173646A0; AR045280A1; RU2329084C2; US20100006507A1; CA2536252C; MXPA06001967A; RU2006104644A; EP1656326B1; US20040129617A1; US7850859B2; KR20060036480A; ZA200601260B; SG145764A1; MX263082B; WO2005019115A1; BRPI0413732B1; US7615152B2; MA27992A1; BRPI0413732A

Abstract

A method of treating low-pressure untreated drinking water includes providing a low-pressure water filter device, running low-pressure untreated drinking water from a source of low-pressure untreated drinking water through a low-pressure water filter of the low-pressure water filter device, removing bacteria and viruses from the low pressure untreated drinking water at a level of Filter Bacteria Log Removal of greater than about 2 logs and a Filter Viruses Log Removal of greater than about 1 log, and filling a storage housing with treated drinking water at greater than about 5 mL/min. The low-pressure water filter device may include a connector for connecting to an untreated drinking water source, a low-pressure water filter comprising mesoporous activated carbon particles and a storage housing. The average fluid contact time with the low-pressure water filter may be greater than about 2 seconds.

Description

Water filter device

Technical Field

A water treatment device for treating untreated drinking water.

Background

Water can contain many different kinds of contaminants including, for example, particles, harmful chemicals, and microbiological organisms such as bacteria, parasites, and viruses. In many cases, these contaminants must be removed before the water can be used. Before the water is potable, i.e., suitable for use, any harmful contaminants must be removed therefrom.

Drinking contaminated water has serious consequences in underdeveloped countries. Meanwhile, there are several factors that affect the contamination of water, including: increasing population density, decreasing water resources, no water filtration utilities, and often lack electrical power (including batteries, which are too expensive). In some cases, canthus-adjacent households in the same region may vary greatly in the water pressure of the untreated drinking water they can obtain. Also, since drinking water sources are commonly located adjacent to human and animal waste, microbial contamination is a major health concern. The contamination of water by microorganisms is estimated to cause approximately six million deaths each year, half of which are children under the age of 5.

In 1987, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) introduced "test guidelines standards and protocols for microbiological water purification devices". The protocol establishes minimum requirements for the performance of drinking water filter devices designed to reduce specific contaminants related to human health in public or domestic water supplies. The water from the supply source is required to have 99.99% (or 4log equivalent) virus clearance and 99.9999% (or 6log equivalent) bacteria clearance. According to the EPA protocol, the concentration of virus in influent water should be 1X10⁷The bacteria should be present in the influent water at a concentration of 1X10 per liter⁸Per liter. Coli (e.coli) is a bacterium in most studies because it is ubiquitous in water supplies and it poses associated risks after drinking. Similarly, MS-2 bacteriophage (or simply MS-2 bacteriophage) is a representative microorganism typically used for viral clearance because its size and shape (i.e., about 26nm, and icosahedron) is similar to many viruses. Thus, the ability of the filter to remove MS-2 phage indicates its ability to remove other viruses.

Thus, some challenges include: a water filter device is provided which can provide regular household use with sufficient daily drinking water for drinking and cooking when untreated drinking water is contaminated with viruses and bacteria, runs out of water, is unavailable with electricity and batteries, has a large difference in water pressure in the same area, and when there is a period of no water pressure.

Summary of The Invention

A water filter device for treating untreated drinking water includes a fitting for providing fluid communication between the water filter device and a source of untreated drinking water. The water filter device may include a low pressure water filter in fluid communication with the fitting. The water filter may comprise a water filter material. The water filter may include a F-BLR greater than about 2 log. The water filter device may include a water storage tank in fluid communication with the low pressure water filter. The water filter device may include an automatic on-off valve in fluid communication with said storage tank. The water filter device may include an outlet in fluid communication with the storage tank. The untreated drinking water may be input into the storage tank at a rate of at least about 5mL/min and no greater than about 2,000mL/min until the automatic on-off valve is activated such that flow of treated drinking water into the storage tank is discontinued. The water filter device may be a non-electric water filter device.

A method of treating low pressure untreated drinking water may include providing a low pressure water filter device. The low pressure water filter device may include a connector for connection to a source of untreated drinking water. The low pressure water filter may include mesoporous activated carbon particles and a water storage tank. The method may further include passing low pressure untreated potable water from a low pressure untreated potable water source through a low pressure water filter. The low pressure untreated drinking water may include viruses and bacteria such that the average fluid contact time is greater than about 2 seconds. The water filter may include greater than about 2log of the F-BLR and greater than about 1log of the F-VLR. The method may further include filling the storage tank with treated drinking water at a rate greater than about 5 mL/min.

A method of constructing a modular water treatment apparatus for treating untreated drinking water. The method may include providing a modular water filter device unit. The modular water filter device unit may include a low pressure water filter for treating untreated drinking water. The low pressure water filter may include a water filter material and an automatic on/off valve for interrupting the flow of treated drinking water. The method may further comprise enclosing the modular water filter device in a storage tank for storing treated drinking water. The modular water plant unit may be a non-electric water filter plant.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a water filter assembly.

Fig. 2-a is a perspective view of the fitting of the water filter device of fig. 1 in an "open position" and a partial view of the fitting hose of the water filter device of fig. 1.

Fig. 2-B is a perspective view of the fitting of the water filter device of fig. 1 in a "closed position" and a partial view of the fitting hose of the water filter device of fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a water filter of the water filter device of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the water filter device of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the water filter device of fig. 1 taken along line AA with the flow regulator detailed in detail a.

Fig. 6 is a partial side sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the water filter device of fig. 1 taken along line a-a, wherein an opening is formed through the filter container.

Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a control head of the water filter device of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the water filter device of fig. 1, wherein the wall bracket is secured to a wall.

Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the control head, water filter and filter receptacle of the water filter device of fig. 1.

Detailed Description

I. Definition of

As used herein, the term "activated carbon particles" and derivatives thereof refer to carbon particles that have undergone a process that imparts more porosity to the char.

As used herein, the term "activation" and its derivatives refer to a treatment that renders the carbonized material more porous.

As used herein, the term "activated carbon particles" or "activated carbon filter particles" and derivatives thereof refer to carbon particles that have undergone an activation process.

As used herein, the phrase "average fluid residence time" and/or "average fluid contact time" refers to the average time that a fluid is in contact with filter particles within a filter as it flows through the filter material and is calculated as the ratio of the filter material pore volume to the fluid flow rate.

As used herein, the phrase "axial flow" means flow across a flat surface and perpendicular to the surface.

The term "basic" as used herein means that the filter particles have a point of zero charge greater than 7.

The term "disposable" as used herein means that the filter is designed and processed to treat from about 189(50) to about 757L (200 gallons) of untreated drinking water, or from about 30 days to about 120 days.

The phrase "frontal area" as used herein refers to the area of the filter material that is initially exposed to influent water. For example, in an axial flow filter, the front face region is the cross-sectional area of the filter material at the fluid inlet, while in a radial flow filter, the front face region is the outer region of the filter material.

The phrase "filter log bacterial clearance (F-BLR)" as used herein refers to the bacterial clearance capacity of the filter after the first 2,000 filter material pore volumes have been passed through. F-BLR is defined and calculated as follows:

F-BLR ═ -log [ (efflux concentration of escherichia coli)/(influx concentration of escherichia coli) ],

in the formula, "the influent concentration of E.coli" was set to about 1X10 throughout the experiment⁸CFU/L and "E.coli efflux concentration" were measured after flowing through the filter at about 2,000 pore volumes of the filter material. The F-BLR is expressed in units of "log" (where "log" represents log). Note that if the efflux concentration is below the detection limit of the assay technique, the efflux concentration used to calculate F-BLR is considered the detection limit. Also note that F-BLR is measured without using a chemical agent having a bactericidal effect.

The phrase "depth of the filter material" as used herein refers to the linear distance of the influent water flowing from the inlet to the outlet of the filter material. For example, in an axial flow filter, the depth of filtration is the thickness of the filter material; in radial filters, however, the filter depth is half the difference between the outer diameter and the inner diameter of the filter material.

As used herein, the phrase "filter material pore volume" refers to the total volume of interparticle pores in the filter material having a size greater than 0.1 μm.

The phrase "total volume of filter material" as used herein refers to the sum of the volume of the inter-granular pores and the volume occupied by the filter particles.

As used herein, the phrase "filter particles" refers to individual members or strips used to form at least a portion of a filter material. For example, a fiber, a particle, a bead, etc. are all considered a filter particle in the present invention.

As used herein, the phrases "filter porosity" and/or "filter bed porosity" refer to the ratio of the filter material pore volume to the total filter material volume.

The phrase "log viral clearance of a filter (F-VLR)" as used herein refers to the viral clearance capacity of the filter after the first 2,000 pore volumes of the filter material have been passed through. The F-VLR is defined and calculated as follows:

F-VLR ═ -log [ (efflux concentration of phage)/(influx concentration of phage)]In the formula, the "influx concentration of phage" was set to about 1X10 throughout the experiment⁷CFU/L and "efflux concentration of phage" were measured after flowing through the filter at about 2,000 pore volumes of the filter. The F-VLR has units of "log" (where "log" stands for log). Note that if the efflux concentration is below the detection limit of the assay technique, the efflux concentration used to calculate the F-VLR is considered the detection limit. Also note that the F-VLR was measured without using a chemical agent having a bactericidal effect.

As used herein, the term "low pressure" means from about 7kPa (1 pound per square inch (referred to herein as "psi")) to about 138kPa (20 psi).

The term "low pressure water filter" as used herein refers to a water filter that delivers from about 5 mm/min (denoted herein as "mL/min") to about 400mL/min of treated drinking water when the untreated drinking water source is at a pressure of at least about 7kPa (1 psi).

The term "macroporous" as used herein means a width or diameter greater than 50nm (or equivalent to 500 nm)) Of the particles of (a).

The term "mesoporous" as used herein means having a width or diameter between 2nm and 50nm (or equivalently between 20 nm)And 500In between) pores within the particle.

As used herein, the term "low pressure water filter device" refers to a water filter device that delivers at least about 5mL/min to about 400mL/min of treated water when the untreated drinking water source is at a pressure of at least about 7kPa (1 psi).

As used herein, the phrase "mesoporous activated carbon filter particle" refers to an activated carbon filter particle in which the sum of the mesopore and macropore volumes is greater than 0.12mL/g (referred to herein as "mL/g").

The phrase "mesoporous and basic activated carbon filter particle" as used herein refers to an activated carbon filter particle wherein the sum of the mesopore and macropore volumes is greater than 0.12mL/g and the point of zero charge is greater than 7.

The phrase "mesoporous and basic reduced oxygen activated carbon filter particle" as used herein refers to an activated carbon filter particle wherein the sum of the mesopore and macropore volumes is greater than 0.12mL/g, the point of zero charge is greater than 7, and the bulk oxygen weight percent is 1.5% or less.

As used herein, the terms "microorganism", "microbial organism" and "pathogen" are used interchangeably. These terms refer to a variety of microorganisms that have the characteristics of bacteria, viruses, parasites, protozoa, and germs.

The term "microwell" as used herein means having a width or diameter of less than 2nm (or equivalent to 20)) Of the particles of (a).

The phrase "micropore volume" and its derivatives are used herein to refer to the volume of all micropores. The micropore volume is calculated from the volume of nitrogen absorbed at a relative pressure of 0.15 using the methods Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (denoted herein by "BET") methods well known in the art (ASTM D4820-99 standard).

The term "non-electrically powered water filter device" as used herein refers to a water filter device that does not use alternating current or direct current to increase water pressure.

The phrase "point of zero charge" as used herein refers to a critical pH above which the total surface of the carbonized particles is negatively charged. Well known test procedures for determining the point of zero charge are set forth below.

The term "mesopore-range pore size distribution" as used herein refers to the pore size distribution calculated by the Barrett, Joyner and halenda (BJH) method, which is well known in the art.

As used herein, the phrase "radial flow" typically refers to flow over substantially cylindrical or substantially conical surfaces and perpendicular to those surfaces.

As used herein, the phrase "sum of the capacities of mesopores and macropores" and its derivatives refer to the total capacity of all mesopores and macropores. The sum of the mesopore and macropore capacities is equal to the difference between the total pore capacity and the micropore capacity or, equivalently, is calculated as the difference in the amount of nitrogen adsorbed as measured by the BET method (ASTM D4820-99 standard), which is well known in the art, at relative pressures of 0.9814 and 0.15, respectively.

The term "self-priming" as used herein refers to a water filter device that automatically stops treating untreated drinking water after the storage tank is filled to a predetermined level.

As used herein, the phrase "specific external surface area" refers to the total external surface area of the filter particles per unit mass, as described in more detail below.

As used herein, the phrase "total external surface area" refers to the external geometric surface area of one or more filter particles, as described in more detail below.

As used herein, the term "untreated" refers to water that has not been treated with the water filter device described herein.

The term "water filter" or "filter" as used herein refers to structures and mechanisms for removing or neutralizing contaminants, respectively, by one or a combination of, for example, size exclusion, electrolysis, adsorption, absorption, oxidation, reduction, chemical sterilization, ion exchange, and the like.

The phrase "water filter material" or "filter material" as used herein refers to an aggregate of filter particles. The aggregates of filter particles forming the filter material may be homogeneous or heterogeneous. The filter particles may be uniformly or non-uniformly distributed within the filter material (e.g., layers of different filter particles). The filter particles forming the filter material also need not be of the same shape or size and may be provided in loose or interconnected form.

Water filter device

The numbers with the same last three digits in all figures represent the same or similar elements (e.g., 122, 1122, 2122 or 020, 1020, 2020).

As shown in fig. 1, one embodiment of the present invention may be a water filter device 20, which may include a fitting 22 for connection to a source of untreated drinking water, a fitting hose 24 for fluidly communicating the fitting 22 with a control head 34, a water filter 26 for treating untreated drinking water, a filter receptacle 28 for receiving the water filter 26, a storage tank 30 for storing drinking water treated by the water filter 26, a storage tank cover 32 for covering the storage tank 30, an outlet 36 for dispensing the treated drinking water from the storage tank 30, a wall bracket 38 for mounting the water filter device 20, a flow regulator 39 (shown in fig. 5) for controlling the flow of drinking water through the water filter device 20, and/or a life display 40 for displaying the life of the water filter 26.

A. Flexible pipe

As shown in fig. 1, a connector hose 24 may fluidly connect the connector 22 to a control head 34. The nipple hose 24 may be of various lengths and diameters. The nipple hose 24 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics and the like.

B. Joint

As shown in fig. 2-a and 2-B, the adapter 22 may include an adapter body 42, an adapter handle 44, a valve, an adapter inlet 46, a first adapter outlet 48, and a second adapter outlet 50. The connector inlet 46 may be releasably (e.g., friction fit, threaded fit, bolted connection, threaded connection, fasteners, snap fit, locked connection, etc.) or permanently (e.g., molded, glued, soldered, welded, hot plate welded, etc.) connected to an untreated water source (e.g., residential faucets, under sink inlet pipes, roof mounted water tanks, etc.) for introducing untreated drinking water into the water filter device 20. The first connector outlet 48 may be connected to the connector hose 24. The second connector 50 may also be threaded for connection to an inflator, quick disconnect for a dishwasher, or the like. The adapter handle 44 can be used to control (by rotating it 90 degrees) the flow of untreated drinking water so that the user can choose between immediate use of the untreated drinking water through the second adapter outlet 50 (the "open position" shown in fig. 2-a) or treatment of the untreated drinking water through the first adapter outlet 48 (the "closed position" shown in fig. 2-B).

The fitting 22 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics, metals and alloys thereof, fiberglass.

C. Water filter

As shown in FIG. 3, the water filter 26 may include a filter housing 52, a filter inlet 54, a filter outlet 56, and a water filter material 58. Further, as described in U.S. patent application 60/473,271, the water filter 26 may have a first conduit 60, a second conduit 62 (which may be supported by ribs 63), and a third conduit 64 (described in more detail below, see FIG. 6).

The filter housing 52 may cover the ends of the water filter material 58. The filter housing 52 may be cylindrical, however, it may be of various shapes and sizes. Filter housing 52 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics, metals and alloys thereof, fiberglass, and the like. Alternatively, the filter housing 52 may form a well-defined compartment containing the water filter material 58.

The filter inlet 54 may be a portion of the exposed water filter material 58 (e.g., a portion of a carbon block), or a pre-filter 120 covered on both ends by the filter housing 52. That is, water may enter the water filter 26 through the exposed portion of the water filter material 58 or the pre-filter 120.

The filter outlet 56 may be a circular opening concentric and coaxial with the longitudinal axis 68 of the water filter 26. The filter inlet 54 and filter outlet 56 may be sized and positioned in any manner that is optimal for the application. Thus, filter inlet 54 and filter outlet 56 may be positioned in consistent proximity (e.g., using the same opening), in close proximity (e.g., using the same surface or end), or in remote proximity to each other (e.g., at opposite ends).

The water filter material 58 may be housed inside the filter housing 52. The water filter material 58 may be in the form of a block, wherein the block of water filter material 58 has a core region 70.

Examples of water filter material 58 are described in U.S. patents 2,167,225, 2,335,458, 4,172,796, 4,493,772, 4,764,274, 4,025,438, 4,094,779, 5,679,248, 6,274,041, 6,337,015 and U.S. patent applications 09/935,810, 09/935,962, 09/628,632, 09/832,581, 09/832,580, 09/736,749, 09/574,456, 09/564,919 and 09/347,223. For example, the water filtration material may include, but is not limited to, one or a combination of carbon (e.g., activated carbon including basic mesoporous wood activated carbon, such as porous carbon tubes, or porous carbon blocks, or carbon powder or granules sintered with a plastic binder, etc.), ion exchange material (e.g., in the form of resin spheres, flat filtration membranes, fibrous filtration tissue, etc.), zeolite particulates or coatings (e.g., silver coatings), polyethylene, or electrically modified melt blown or microfibrous glass fabrics, alumina, and diatomaceous earth, etc.

The water filter material 58 may include from about 7 grams (denoted herein as "g") to about 600g, from about 15g to about 300g, or from about 30g to about 170g of activated carbon particles (as described in U.S. patent applications 10/464,210 and 10/464,209) to treat low pressure untreated drinking water. The bulk density of the activated carbon particles is from about 0.2g/mL to about 0.8g/mL, from about 0.3g/mL to about 0.7g/mL, or from about 0.35g/mL to about 0.65 g/mL. Activated carbon may be briquetted by the methods described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,664,673, 4,859,386, 5,019,311, 5,189,092, 5,249,948, 5,679,248, 5,679,248, 5,928,588, 5,976,432, and WO98/43796, in accordance with the following activated carbon block specifications:

flow rate of flow：

About 5ml/min to about 100 ml/min/inch of block length at 69kPa (10 psi).

Target fill time：

For about 20 minutes to about 10 hours at 69kPa (10psi) pressure for 3,000mL of treated drinking water.

Size of：

Block length: about 5cm (2 inches) to about 15cm (6 inches).

Outer diameter: about 3.8cm (1.5 inches) to about 10cm (4 inches).

Inner diameter: about 0.76cm (0.3 inch) to about 2.54cm (1 inch).

Minimum average fluid contact time：

At least about 3 seconds.

The water filter material 58 including activated carbon particles may enable the water filter device 20 to treat about 100% of the untreated drinking water entering the water filter device 20 through the adapter 22. The only water that is discarded (i.e., entering the water filter device 20 and not being treated) is the point that remains in the adapter 22, adapter hose 24, and filter container 28 when the filter container 28 is removed to replace the water filter 26 (the discarded water may be less than about 0.5% compared to the volume of untreated drinking water that the water filter 26 treats during its lifetime). Thus, about all (100%) of the untreated drinking water entering the water filter device 20 through said fitting 22 can be consumed from the storage tank 30.

As mentioned above, the water filter 26 may also include a pre-filter 120. The pre-filter 120 prevents clogging of the filter material 58, particularly in areas where high concentrations of particulates or organic contaminants, including myxobacteria, are present. The pre-filter 120 may include, but is not limited to, one or a combination of melt blown polypropylene, non-woven polymers, micro glass fibers, non-woven cellulose filter materials, and the like. The pre-filter 120 may be one or more layers.

The F-BRL of the water filter 26 can be greater than about 2log, greater than about 3log, greater than about 4log, and greater than about 6log, and the F-VRL can be greater than about 1log, greater than about 2log, greater than about 3log, and greater than about 4 log. Further, in addition to the F-BRL/F-VRL described above, the output of the water filter 26 when treating low pressure untreated drinking water may be from about 5mL/min to about 2,000mL/min, from about 25mL/min to about 1,000mL/min, or from about 50mL/min to about 400 mL/min.

Example 1 Water Filter Material

About 18.3g of MeadWestvaco Corp. from Covington, VirginiaRGC mesoporous alkaline activated carbon powder (D thereof)_V，0.5Equal to about 45 μm) and about 7g of Equistar Chemicals, Inc. of Cincinnati, OhioLow Density Polyethylene (LDPE) FN510-00 adhesive and about 2g of Selecto, Inc. available from Norcross, Georgia70 aluminosilicate powder phase mixing. The mixed powder was then poured into an aluminum mold having an inner diameter of about 7.62 centimeters (denoted herein by "cm") (about 3in) and a depth of about 1.27cm (about 0.5 in). Closing and placing the moldHeld at about 204 ℃ for 1 hour in a heated press with platens. The mold was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the axial flow filter was opened and removed. The filter is characterized in that: front area: about 45.6 square centimeters ("cm" is used herein)²"); depth of the filter: about 1.27 cm; total filter volume: about 58 mL; filter porosity (for pores greater than about 0.1 nm (denoted herein by "μm")): about 0.43; and filter material pore volume (for pores greater than about 0.1 μm): about 25mL (as measured by mercury intrusion).

Example 2 Water Filter Material

About 26.2g of coconut microporous alkaline activated carbon powder (D)_V，0.5Dv, equal to about 92 μm) and 7g from Equistar Chemicals, Inc. of Cincinnati, OhioLow Density Polyethylene (LDPE) FN510-00 Binder and about 2g from Selecto, Inc. of Norcross, Georgia70 aluminosilicate powder phase mixing. The mixed powder was then poured into an aluminum mold having an inner diameter of about 7.62cm (about 3in) and a depth of about 1.27cm (about 0.5 in). The mold was closed and placed in a heated press with platens at about 204 ℃ for 1 hour. The mold was then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the axial flow filter was opened and removed. The filter is characterized in that: front area: about 45.6cm²(ii) a And (3) filtering depth: about 1.27 cm; total filter volume: about 58 mL; filter porosity (for pores greater than about 0.1 μm): about 0.44; and filter material pore volume (for pores greater than about 0.1 μm): about 25.5mL (as measured by mercury intrusion).

D. Filter container

As previously shown in FIG. 1, the filter container 28 may be shaped to surround the water filter 26 (which may be attached to the control head 34 as shown in FIG. 5 and described in U.S. patent application 60/473,271) and releasably attached (e.g., friction fit, threaded fit, bolted connection, threaded connection, fasteners, snap fit, lock connection, etc.) and fluidly sealed to the control head 34 or other portion of the water filter device 20 such that the filter container 28 may be in fluid communication with the control head 34. An O-ring, U-ring, other elastomeric seal or gasket, or the like (not shown) may be used to achieve a fluid-tight seal. The filter container 28 can be made "easy open" so that an average adult can connect and disconnect it from the control head 34 with only their hands (i.e., without any tools) so that it requires only a torque of about 0.5N-m (about 5 in-lbs) to about 11N-m (about 100 in-lbs), about 0.8N-m (about 7 in-lbs) to about 5.6N-m (about 50 in-lbs), or about 1.1N-m (about 10 in-lbs) to about 3.4N-m (about 30 in-lbs) to open it. Alternatively, filter receptacle 28 may be fully or partially disengaged from water filter receptacle 20 by actuating a button (not shown) such that the button releases a press-lock (not shown) or a tongue (not shown) to affix the filter receptacle 28 in place on water filter device 20. Alternatively, the button may strike or cause the striking of the filter receptacle 28 so that it disengages the press-lock or tab.

The filter container 28 may be shaped like a capsule having an open first end 76, a closed second end 78, and an interior volume 80. The filter vessel 28 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics, metals and alloys thereof, fiberglass, and the like.

The filter container 28 may have a longitudinal axis 82 and be vertically oriented when attached to the control head 34. Further, as shown in fig. 4, the filter container 28 may position the front and/or a combination of front and side regions, regions a2, A3, and a4 (i.e., approximately 75% of the front of the water filter device 20) versus the rear, region a1 (i.e., approximately 25% of the rear of the water filter device 20).

The use of front or side positioning and/or easy opening may improve the convenience of the user in replacing the water filter 26. In addition, the fewer components that must be removed by the user to replace the water filter 26, the lower the likelihood of contamination of the internal components of the water filter device 20. When the filter container 28 is front and/or side oriented and easy to open, it can be attached and detached and the filter 26 can be replaced so that the water filter device 20 can remain in the same position as it is when used by a user (which can normally face the water outlet 36 toward a user and can include the water filter device 20 mounted on a wall or placed on a counter top).

The internal volume of filter container 28 may be about 75 milliliters (denoted herein as "mL") to about 3,000mL, about 150mL to about 2,000mL, or about 300mL to about 1,500 mL. As shown in fig. 5, the distance L1 (the height of the filter container 28) may be from about 5 centimeters (denoted herein as "cm") to about 75cm, from about 7cm to about 50cm, or from about 10cm to about 25 cm. The filter container 28 may have a diameter of about 2cm to about 40cm, about 4cm to about 20cm, or about 6cm to about 12 cm.

The height of the filter container 28 (or water filter 26 in the case of using the filter housing 52 as the filter container 28) may be less than 75%, less than 50%, less than 25% of the height of the water filter device 20 (distance L2 (height of the water filter device 20) may be from about 5cm to about 80cm, from about 10cm to about 40cm, or from about 20cm to about 30 cm). Thus, if the water filter device 20 is placed on a flat surface (e.g., a counter top), the bottom of the filter container 28 (or the water filter 26 in the case where the filter housing 52 is used as the filter container 28) can be about 1mm to about 70mm, about 3mm to about 50mm, about 5mm to about 25mm from the flat surface, so that the filter container 28 (or the water filter 26 in the case where the filter housing 52 is used as the filter container 28) can be easily detached from the water filter device 20.

Alternatively, as described in U.S. patent application 10/424,200, the filter container 28 may be completely contained within the water filter 26 such that the physical attachment of the water filter 26 to the filter container 28 and the physical attachment of the filter container 26 to the control head 34 places the filter container 28 and the water filter 26 in fluid communication with the control head 34. Instead of having an open first end 76, such a filter container 26 may have one or more smaller orifices that place it in fluid communication with the control head 34.

Alternatively, the filter housing 52 may be used as the filter receptacle 28 such that the filter housing 52 encases the filter material 58 rather than the top thereof, such that the filter housing 52 is releasably connected (e.g., friction fit, threaded fit, bolted connection, threaded connection, fasteners, snap fit, lock connection, etc.) and fluidly sealed to the control head 34 or other portion of the water filter device 20 such that the water filter 26 may be in fluid communication with the control head 34. In such an application, the filter container 28 may be disposable. Disposable filter containers 28 may be impractical in economically undeveloped areas because such use generally increases the cost of using the water filter apparatus 20.

The water filter 26 may be positioned inside the filter container 28 such that when the filter container 28 is removed from the control head 34, the water filter 26 remains within the interior volume of the filter container 28. As described in U.S. patent application 60/473,271 and shown in fig. 6, filter container 6028 may have a plug 82 at a second end thereof such that an opening 86 is formed through filter container 6028. An O-ring 84 may surround the plug 82 or the third tube 64 of the water filter 6026 such that the third tube 64 of the water filter 6026 is sealingly connected to the plug 82 of the filter container 6028. Thus, when the filter container 6028 is removed from the control head 34 and filled with untreated drinking water, it can be brought to a vertical position in a sink and the water filter 6026 can be removed therefrom, and the plug 82 can be disconnected to allow the untreated drinking water to escape from the opening 86 of the filter container 6028.

E. Water storage tank

As previously shown in fig. 1, the storage tank 30 may have an open top 31 for holding treated drinking water, a closed bottom 33, and an interior volume 35. The reservoir 30 may also have an opening in its bottom 33 for receiving a water outlet 36. The storage tank 30 may be shaped to hold a predetermined amount of treated drinking water. The storage tank may be any shape capable of holding a predetermined amount of treated drinking water. The water storage tank 30 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics, metals and alloys thereof, fiberglass, and the like.

The storage tank 30 may have a vertically oriented window 88 for displaying the level of treated drinking water contained within the storage tank 30. Other means such as a tube with a float (e.g., a colored bead float) may also be used to indicate the level of treated drinking water within the storage tank 30.

The water storage tank 30, or a portion thereof, may be detachably removable from the water filter device 20 such that it is removed without any other components of the water filter device 20 being attached to or contained within it. This makes it easier to clean the reservoir 30 because no other components of the water filter device 20 would prevent a portion of the reservoir 30 from being cleaned, and because the reservoir 30 would be able to be positioned in any way that the user finds optimum to clean it. Furthermore, when the reservoir 30 is removed, the detergent, which otherwise would not be used, can be used because if the reservoir 30 is cleaned with detergent while attached to the water filter device 20, the detergent will flow into the interior of the control head 34. However, when the water storage tank 30 is detached, such detergent can be used and the water storage tank 30 can be thoroughly cleaned. When the storage tank 30 is removed, other components will also be exposed and easier to clean.

The storage tank 30 may hold from about 0.5 liters (denoted herein as "L") to about 20L, from about 1L to about 12L, or from about 2L to about 6L of treated drinking water. Its capacity enables its user to obtain water during periods of no water pressure. An average of about 4 liters per day to about 10 liters per day of treated drinking water is used for daily cooking and drinking.

F. Water storage tank cover

As previously shown in FIG. 1, a tank cap 32 may be used to completely or partially cover the open end of the tank 30. The tank cap 32 prevents contaminants from contaminating the treated drinking water collected in the tank 30. The tank lid 32 may be completely removable or may be movably engaged (e.g., hinged, sliding, etc.) to the tank 30.

G. Control head

As shown in fig. 7, the control head 34 may include a control head housing 90, an on-off valve 92, a control head hose 94, and/or a control head cover 96. The control head 34 may fluidly connect the water filter 26 and the reservoir 30 such that they are in fluid communication and such that a portion of the control head 34 is within the interior volume of the reservoir 30 and/or the filter vessel 28. The portion of the control head housing 90 within the interior volume of the storage tank 30 may have an open bottom so that when the treated drinking water is elevated in the storage tank 30, it may also be elevated within the control head housing 90 and may contact the on-off valve 92 within the control head housing 90.

The on-off valve 92 may include a float 98 and/or a stop 100 and a stop cover 101 attached to a base portion thereof. The stop 100 may stop the flow of treated drinking water into the storage tank 30 (described in more detail below). Alternatively, the on-off valve 92 may include a diaphragm, a piston having a spring to move a stopper in response to the water pressure of the full tank, etc. (not shown). As previously shown in FIG. 5, the control head 34 may include a first control head inlet 102 and a second control head inlet 104 and a first control head outlet 106 and a second control head outlet 108. The second control head inlet 104 and the second control head outlet 108 may be connected by a control head hose 94. The on-off valve 92 may be placed inside the control head housing 90 such that the control head cover 96 covers it. The float 98 may be flexibly (e.g., pivotably) connected to the control head housing 90 such that when the treated drinking water rises within the control head housing 90, the float 98 may also rise and the stop 100 and stop cover 101 may fluidly seal the second control head outlet 108, thereby stopping the flow of water into the storage tank 30. Control head 34 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics, metals and alloys thereof, fiberglass, and the like.

Because the stop 100 automatically stops the flow of water through the water filter device 20, the user can turn on the source of untreated drinking water and take care of other things because the user can rely on the water filter device 20 to stop the filtration of untreated drinking water after the capacity of the storage tank 30 is reached, thus preventing an overfill condition from occurring (this capability makes the water filter device 20 self-filling).

H. Water outlet device

As previously shown in FIG. 1, the outlet 36 may be sealingly connected (with O-ring 117) to an orifice in the bottom 33 of the tank 30. The outlet 36 may dispense treated drinking water stored in the volume within the storage tank 30. The outlet 36 may include an outlet body 110, an outlet handle 112, an outlet inlet 116, and an outlet 118. The outlet handle 112 (by rotating, tapping, sliding, etc.) may be used to control the flow of treated drinking water. The water outlet 36 may be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics, metals and alloys thereof, fiberglass, and the like.

I. Wall hanging bracket

As previously shown in fig. 1 and as shown in fig. 8, the wall hanging bracket 8038 can be configured to be attached to a flat wall or cabinet and to be releasably attached to the storage tank 8030. The coupling to the wall-mounted bracket 8038 can be at the back, side, top, and/or bottom of the water filter 8026. The wall hanging bracket 8038 can be made from one or more of a variety of materials, including but not limited to one or a combination of plastics, metals and their alloys, fiberglass, rubber, and the like.

J. Flow regulator

As previously shown in fig. 5 (detail a), flow regulator 39 may be a housing that forms second control head outlet 108 such that the orifice may have a diameter (distance L3) of about 0.2mm to about 6mm, about 0.4mm to about 3mm, or about 0.7mm to about 1.5 mm. Flow regulator 39 may be any predetermined orifice capable of limiting the flow rate to maintain an average fluid contact time of at least about 3 seconds, at least about 4 seconds, and/or at least about 5 seconds at a pressure of at most about 689kPa (100 psi). The flow regulator 39 may also be a hose having a predetermined diameter, a flow gasket made of a flexible material that decreases in pore size as the flow rate increases, or the like.

The nipple hose 24, nipple inlet 46 or first or second nipple outlets 48 and 50, or first or second control nipple inlet 102 or outlet 104 may be sized to slow the flow of higher pressure water through the water filter device 20 without affecting the flow of low pressure water through the water filter device 20. The flow regulator 39 may be any component that causes a pressure drop in the pressurized portion of the system. The flow regulator 39 allows for the water filter device 20 to be operable at low pressures (i.e., the water filter device 20 fills the storage tank 30 at a rate of at least 5 mL/min) while still being effective at higher pressures.

K. Life display

As previously shown in FIG. 1, the water filter assembly 20 may include a life display 40 for indicating the remaining or used life of the water filter 26. The life indicator 40 may be disposed on the tank lid 32. However, it may be placed anywhere on the water filter device 20 that is visible to the user. The life indicator 40 may be a tear-down calendar, a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode, a light bulb, or the like. The life display 40 may be a timer wherein the life of the water filter 26 is either time-based (i.e., it indicates the end of the life of the water filter 26 based entirely on time, independent of the volume of water treated by the water filter 26) or volume-based (i.e., it indicates the end of the life of the water filter 26 based on the volume of water treated by the water filter 26).

The end of life of the water filter 26 may be indicated by the appearance or disappearance of symbols (e.g., raindrops, crosses, etc.) and/or different colored lights (e.g., red, yellow, green, etc.). The life indicator 40 may be reset by installing or removing a new water filter 26, or by a reset button, switch, lever, etc. The life display 40 may be powered by alternating current, direct current, batteries (including long life batteries), solar power, and the like.

Test procedure

BET test procedure

The BET specific surface area and pore volume distribution are measured using a nitrogen adsorption technique, such as the multipoint nitrogen adsorption method described in ASTM D4820-99 at about 77K, using a surface area and pore size determinator of the Coulter SA3100 series, manufactured by Coulter Corp. The process also allows for micropore, mesopore and macropore volumes.

B. Testing procedure of zero charge point

An aqueous solution of KCl at about 0.010M was prepared from reagent grade KCl and water freshly distilled under argon. The water used for distillation is deionized by means of continuous reverse osmosis and ion exchange. A volume of about 25.0mL of aqueous KCI solution was dispensed into six about 125mL flasks, each equipped with 24/40 ground glass stoppers. Microliter quantities of standard aqueous HCl or NaOH solution are added to each flask to bring the initial pH range between about 2 and about 12. The pH of each flask was then recorded using an acid-base meter model 420A manufactured by Orion with a triode combination pH/ATC electrode model 9107BN manufactured by Thermo Orion inc. This pH is referred to as the initial pH. About 0.0750. + -. 0.0010g of activated carbon particles were added to each of the six flasks and the aqueous suspension stoppered at room temperature for about 24 hours was stirred (at a speed of about 15.7rad/s (150rpm)) before the final pH was recorded.

C. Bulk oxygen weight percent test procedure

Bulk oxygen weight percent was measured using an Elemental Analyzer model 240 of PerkinElmer (Oxygenmodification; PerkinElmer, Inc.; Wellesley, Mass.). The technique is based on pyrolysis of a sample in a helium gas stream at about 1000 ℃ over platinized carbon. The carbon samples were dried overnight in a vacuum oven at a temperature of about 100 ℃.

D. Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) testing procedure

The Oxidation Reduction Potential (ORP) was measured using a platinum redox electrode model 96-78-00 available from Orion Research, Inc. (Beverly, Mass.) and followed ASTM standard D1498-93. This step involves a suspension of about 0.2g of carbon in about 80mL of tap water and reading the electrode in mV after gentle stirring for about 5 minutes.

E.F-BLR test procedure

The housing of an axial flow filter with mesoporous carbon is made ofIs made of 2 parts, namely a cover and a base. Both portions had an outer diameter of about 12.71cm (about 5 ") and an inner diameter of about 7.623cm (about 3"). The closure was placed back into the base by a compressive stress seal with an O-ring (about 7.6cm (3 ") inner diameter and about 3.18mm (1/8") thickness). The inlet and outlet hoses were strung into the cover and base with a barbed fitting using about 1.59mm (about 1/16 ") NPT pipe threads. A stainless steel diverter of about 12.7mm (1/2 "thick by about 9.5cm (23/4") od, with about 4.76mm (3/16 ") holes on the upstream side and about 6 mesh screens on the downstream side, was placed back into the cover of the housing.

The filter is mounted in a housing, about 1X10⁸CFU/L of E.coli contaminated water was passed through the filter at a flow rate of about 200 mL/min. The total amount of water influent may be about 2,000 filter material pore volumes or more. Big in useEnterobacter is ATCC # 25922 supplied by American Type Cul tube Collection, Rockville, Md. Coli can be assayed using membrane filtration technology according to #9222 as described in the American society for public health and related industries (APHA) published as Standard methods for Water and wastewater inspection, 20 th edition, Washington, D.C.. Other assays known in the art may be used instead (e.g., as). Limit of detection (LOD) is about 1x10 when measured by membrane filtration techniques²CFU/L, when usedThe technical measurement is about 10 CFU/L. After the water has passed through about the first 2,000 filter material pore volumes, the effluent is collected and assayed to count the presence of E.coli bacteria and the F-BLR value is calculated using the definitions.

F.F-VLR test procedure

The housing of the axial flow filter with mesoporous carbon is the same as described above for the F-BLR step. Using about 1X10⁷PFU/L MS-2 contaminated water was passed through the housing/filter system at a flow rate of about 200 mL/min. The total amount of water influent may be about 2,000 filter material pore volumes or more. The MS-2 bacteriophage used was ATCC # 15597B, supplied by American Type Culture Collection (American Type Culture Collection) of Rockville, Md. MS-2 assays, Hurst, appl.environ.microbiol, 60(9), 3462(1994) can be performed according to the procedure described in appl.environ.microbiol, c.j.hurst, volume 60(9), page 3462 (1994). Other assays known in the art may be used instead. Limit of detection (LOD) of 1x10³PFU/L. After the water has passed through approximately the first 2,000 filter material pore volumes, the effluent is collected and assayed to count the number of MS-2 bacteriophages present and the F-VLR value is calculated using the definitions.

Water filter device embodiments

About 37g of MeadWestvaco Corp. from Covington, VirginiaRGC mesoporous and basic activated carbon powder approximately 14g from Equistar Chemicals, Inc. of Cincinnati, OhioLow Density Polyethylene (LDPE) FN510-00 Binder and about 4g from Selecto, Inc. of Norcross, Georgia70 aluminosilicate powder phase mixing. The mixed powder was then poured into a round aluminum mold. The mixed powder was then poured into a round aluminum mold. The mold was closed and placed in a heated press with platens at about 204 ℃ for 1 hour. The mold is then allowed to cool to room temperature, and the filter material 58 is opened and removed. The features of the filter material 58 include: an outer diameter of 5.08cm, a core diameter of 1.6cm, a filter length of 6.35cm and a filter volume of 116 mL.

The filter material 58 is end-sealed with the filter housing 52 (using hot melt adhesive) as described above to make up the water filter 26 as described above. The water filter 26 is inserted into a control head 34 as described above. A filter container 28 is connected to the control head 34 as described above.

The fitting inlet 46 is connected to a source of untreated drinking water and the user turns on the source of untreated drinking water. Comprising 1x10⁶Each liter and 1x10 of virus⁷Untreated drinking water per liter of bacteria flows into the connector inlet 46, through the connector body 42, to the first connector outlet 48 connected to the connector hose 24, and to the rest of the water filter device 20, and then through the second connector outlet 50.

The user rotates the connector handle 44 ninety degrees from the open position to the closed position such that the connector valve controls the flow of untreated drinking water to and through the first connector outlet 48 rather than the second connector outlet 50. The untreated potable water then flows through the connector hose 24 into the first control head inlet 102 and then into the filter reservoir 28, filling the filter reservoir 28, and through the filter inlet 54 into the water filter 26. The untreated potable water then enters the water filter material 58 radially and flows radially through the water filter material 58 for treatment (6 log bacteria reduction and 4log virus reduction), then enters the core region 70 of the water filter material 58 radially and then flows axially through the core region 70 to and through the filter outlet 56.

The treated drinking water then flows from the filter outlet 56 through the first control head outlet 106, then through the control head hose 94, then through the second control head inlet 104, then through the second control head outlet 108 into the storage tank 30.

The treated drinking water then fills the internal volume 35 of the storage tank 30, contacting the water outlet 36 (which is in a closed position such that water flow is not possible). The treated drinking water continues to fill the storage tank 30 such that it also begins to flood the control head housing 90 until the float 98 is raised, thus raising the stop 100 to a position that fluidly seals the second control head outlet 108, thus stopping the flow of treated drinking water into the storage tank 30 until sufficient pressure is reached to stop the flow of untreated drinking water into the water filter device 20.

The treated drinking water is dispensed through the outlet 36 by moving the outlet handle 112 to the open position such that the treated drinking water flows into the outlet inlet 116, through the outlet body 110, and through the outlet 118. The dispensed treated drinking water may be collected in a container.

v. modular unit

As shown in fig. 9, the water filter device 20 may be used as a modular unit that may include the adapter 22, the control head 34, the water filter 26, and/or the filter receptacle 28. The same modular unit may be releasably (e.g., friction fit, screw fit, bolted, threaded, fasteners, snap fit, locked, etc.) or permanently (e.g., die cast, glued, soldered, welded, hot plate welded, etc.) attached to different storage tanks (e.g., 30). Thus, a manufacturer may produce the same modular unit to be assembled into a series of different water storage tanks (e.g., the same modular unit may be placed in water storage tanks having different internal volumes, colors, shapes, features, etc.). Likewise, a consumer may interchangeably use the same modular unit with different water storage tanks (e.g., a counter top water storage tank, a refrigerator water storage tank, etc.).

The present invention may additionally include information that will be communicated to the consumer by words and/or by pictures, i.e., use of the present invention will provide the benefits associated with the water filter device 20 and at the lowest flow rate for a predetermined number of gallons. This information may include claims to be preferred over other water filter devices and products. Thus, use of the present invention in connection with packaging that communicates information to the consumer by words and/or pictures provides particular related benefits as previously described. This information may include, for example, advertising in all ordinary materials, as well as instructions and icons on the packaging or on the water filter device 20 itself to inform the consumer.

All of the above cited documents are incorporated herein by reference, and citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A water filter device for treating untreated drinking water, the water filter device comprising:

(a) a fitting for providing fluid communication between the water filter device and an untreated drinking water source;

(b) a low pressure water filter in fluid communication with the fitting for treating untreated drinking water, the water filter comprising a water filtration material comprising greater than 2log F-BLR;

(c) a storage tank in fluid communication with the low pressure water filter for storing drinking water treated by the water filter;

(d) an automatic on-off valve in fluid communication with the storage tank for discontinuing flow of treated drinking water into the storage tank; and

(e) an outlet in fluid communication with the storage tank for dispensing treated drinking water from the storage tank;

wherein the treated drinking water enters the water storage tank at a rate of at least 5ml/min but no greater than 2,000ml/min until the automatic on-off valve is activated, thereby halting flow of the treated drinking water into the water storage tank, and wherein the water filter device is a non-powered water filter device.

2. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said water filter material comprises mesoporous activated carbon filter particles.

3. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said water filter material comprises mesoporous and basic activated carbon particles.

4. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said water filter material comprises mesoporous and basic, oxygen-reduced activated carbon particles.

5. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 1log F-VLR.

6. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 3log F-BLR and greater than 2log F-VLR.

7. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 4log F-BLR and greater than 3log F-VLR.

8. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said automatic on-off valve comprises a float.

9. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the water filter device further comprises a flow regulator, wherein the flow regulator regulates the flow of the untreated drinking water such that the average fluid contact time is greater than 2 seconds at pressures up to 120 psi.

10. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the water filter device further comprises a flow regulator, wherein the flow regulator regulates the flow of the untreated drinking water such that the average fluid contact time is greater than 4 seconds at pressures up to 120 psi.

11. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said water filter device further comprises a threadably engageable filter receptacle for receiving said water filter, wherein said filter receptacle is openable with a torque of 5 inch-pounds to 100 inch-pounds.

12. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the water filter device further comprises a filter receptacle for receiving the water filter, wherein at least a portion of the filter receptacle is positioned at a front or side of the water filter device.

13. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said water filter device further comprises a filter receptacle for receiving said water filter, wherein the height of said filter receptacle is less than 75% of the height of said water filter device.

14. The water filter device of claim 1 wherein said water storage tank is releasably removable from said water filter device.

15. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said storage tank includes a window for viewing the volume of said treated drinking water contained within said storage tank.

16. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the water filter device further comprises a component that indicates the life of the water filter.

17. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein said water filter further comprises a pre-filter, wherein said pre-filter is selected from the group consisting of melt blown polypropylene, non-woven polymers, micro glass fibers, and non-woven cellulose filter material.

18. The water filter device of claim 1, wherein the internal volume of the water storage tank is 500mL to 2,000 mL.

19. A water filter device for treating untreated drinking water as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water filter device further comprises:

the F-VLR is more than 1 log; and

(f) a filter receptacle in fluid communication with the adapter, the filter receptacle for receiving the water filter;

wherein 100% of the untreated drinking water entering the water filter device through the fitting is treated by the water filter, wherein the water filter device is a non-electrically powered water filter device, and wherein at least a portion of the filter container is releasably engaged to a front or side of the water filter device.

20. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein said water filter material is mesoporous and basic activated carbon particles.

21. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 3log F-BLR and greater than 2log F-VLR.

22. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 6log F-BLR and greater than 4log F-VLR.

23. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein said untreated potable water enters radially into and flows radially through said water filter material.

24. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein the water filter device further comprises a flow regulator, wherein the flow regulator regulates the flow of the untreated drinking water such that the average fluid contact time is greater than 2 seconds at pressures up to 120 psi.

25. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein said filter container is openable with a torque of 5 inch-pounds to 100 inch-pounds.

26. The water filter device of claim 19 wherein said water storage tank is releasably removable from said water filter device.

27. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein said water filter further comprises a pre-filter, wherein said pre-filter is selected from the group consisting of melt blown polypropylene, non-woven polymers, micro glass fibers, and non-woven cellulose filter material.

28. The water filter device of claim 19, wherein said filter container is detachable from said water filter device with a button.

29. A water filter device for treating untreated drinking water as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

the F-VLR is more than 1 log; and

(g) a flow regulator in fluid communication with the low pressure water filter, the flow regulator for controlling the flow of potable water through the water filter device;

wherein at least a portion of the filter container is releasably engaged to a front or side of the water filter device, wherein the flow regulator regulates the flow of the untreated drinking water such that the average fluid contact time is greater than 2 seconds at pressures up to 120 psi.

30. The water filter device of claim 29, wherein said water filter material is mesoporous and basic activated carbon particles.

31. The water filter device of claim 29, wherein said water filter comprises greater than 3log F-BLR and greater than 2log F-VLR.

32. The water filter device of claim 29, further comprising a wall mount bracket for securing the water filter device.

33. The water filter device of claim 29, wherein said filter container is openable with a torque of 5 inch-pounds to 100 inch-pounds.

34. The water filter device of claim 29, wherein said untreated potable water enters radially into and flows radially through said water filter material.

35. The water filter device of claim 29 wherein said water storage tank is releasably removable from said water filter device.

36. The water filter device of claim 29, wherein said water filter further comprises a pre-filter, and said pre-filter is selected from the group consisting of melt blown polypropylene, non-woven polymers, micro glass fibers, and non-woven cellulose filter material.

37. A method of treating low pressure untreated drinking water, the method comprising:

(a) providing a low pressure water filter device comprising a fitting for connection to a source of untreated drinking water, a low pressure water filter comprising mesoporous activated carbon particles and a storage tank for storing drinking water treated by said water filter;

(b) directing low pressure untreated potable water from a low pressure untreated potable water source through the low pressure water filter, the low pressure untreated potable water including viruses and bacteria such that the average fluid contact time is greater than 2 seconds, the water filter including greater than 2log F-BLR and greater than 1log F-VLR; and

(c) filling the storage tank with treated drinking water at a rate of more than 5ml/min, and

(d) stopping the flow of treated drinking water into the storage tank with an automatic on-off valve in fluid communication with the storage tank.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the low pressure water filter comprises mesoporous and basic activated carbon particles.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the low pressure untreated drinking water comprises 1x10⁶Virus/liter and 1x10⁷Bacteria/liter.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the low pressure untreated drinking water comprises 1x10⁷Virus/liter and 1x10⁸Bacteria/liter.

41. The method of claim 37, wherein the low pressure water filter apparatus further comprises a filter vessel and an on-off valve comprising a float.

42. The method of claim 37, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 3log F-BLR and greater than 2log F-VLR.

43. The method of claim 37, wherein the water filter further comprises a pre-filter, and the pre-filter is selected from the group consisting of melt blown polypropylene, non-woven polymers, micro glass fibers, and non-woven cellulosic filter materials.

44. A method of forming a water filter device for treating untreated drinking water, the method comprising:

(a) providing a water filter device, said unit comprising:

(i) a low pressure water filter for treating untreated drinking water, said water filter comprising a water filtration material; and

(ii) an automatic on-off valve for stopping the flow of the treated drinking water; and

(b) loading the water filter device into a water storage tank for storing treated drinking water;

wherein the modular unit is a non-electrically powered water filter device.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the water filtration material comprises mesoporous and basic activated carbon particles.

46. The method of claim 44, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 2log F-BLR and greater than 1log F-VLR.

47. The method of claim 44, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 3log F-BLR and greater than 2log F-VLR.

48. The method of claim 44, wherein the water filter comprises greater than 6log F-BLR and greater than 4log F-VLR.

49. The method of claim 44, wherein the automatic on-off valve comprises a float.

50. The method of claim 44, wherein the water filter device further comprises a flow regulator, wherein the flow regulator regulates the flow of the untreated drinking water such that the average fluid contact time is greater than 3 seconds at a pressure of up to 120 psi.